"We had to put the ball in Rudy’s hands. He had it going,” Casey said. “DeMar struggled. I think he was 2-for-15 in the first half. Rudy was the only one that really had something rolling with a rhythm. It was one of those nights. If it was DeMar rolling we would have milked him. But tonight it was Rudy and did a great job of carrying us, getting us into overtime

You know everybody says he's like Batum. But I get AK47 vibe from him. If he can be AK47 defensively that'll be amazing.

Well, Batum and AK are not that far apart in terms of the type of player they are and role they fill. AK is taller and a worse shooter, but they're versatile players who are strong defensively and can guard multiple positions.

So I don't think either comparison is off, especially given how little we know. I'm hoping for a Perry Jones floor, and I don't know for ceiling. AK with a jumper? A taller Leonard-type? Something like that.

He's no newer to the game than Embiid. Just like throwing that out there.

I just find it really confusing in terms of experience. They say Embiid has played ORGANIZED basketball for 4 years, and the say that caboclo has played basketball for 5 years... So does it mean Caboclo has been playing organized basketball for 5 years? Or he's been playing organized basketball for 2 years and he's just playing ball on the streets or shooting hoops at the park for the other 3? Sounds kinda dumb but I wouldn't mind having more clarification on that. Embiid's volleyball background helped his footwork a lot I believe.

I just find it really confusing in terms of experience. They say Embiid has played ORGANIZED basketball for 4 years, and the say that caboclo has played basketball for 5 years... So does it mean Caboclo has been playing organized basketball for 5 years? Or he's been playing organized basketball for 2 years and he's just playing ball on the streets or shooting hoops at the park for the other 3? Sounds kinda dumb but I wouldn't mind having more clarification on that. Embiid's volleyball background helped his footwork a lot I believe.

Well who knows...

BUt on the last point, given Caboclo is from Brazil, it's entirely likely as an athlete he's played many sports growing up, most likely among them sports like soccer and volleyball. Could also explain why he's apparently quick on his feet at his size.

BUt on the last point, given Caboclo is from Brazil, it's entirely likely as an athlete he's played many sports growing up, most likely among them sports like soccer and volleyball. Could also explain why he's apparently quick on his feet at his size.

Imagine he plays as a goalie in soccer.. Getting a ball past a goalie with a 7'7 wingspan would be extremely tough lol. But back to the point, yeah I hope hes got some more athletic background that can help his footwork too, playing soccer would probably help him increase his vision too. The thing i like the most about him is that he makes it seem easy regardless of the level of competition he was involved in

I am happy with this pick. I have faith in Masai that he made the right decision. Being a scout in the NBA, he's got experience. Granted that not every scout has been successful every time. But the fact that it appears he did his due diligence, actually WATCHED him play LIVE, even (somehow) worked him out with Casey et all... Masai saw something in him that moved him. Only Masai and a few other GM/scouts saw him so I would assume he did his homework and selecting him with the 20th pick. So give MU a break! He's been doing this his whole life, practically.

Now if he was a top 10 pick, yeah I'll have a more difficult time to wrap my head around this but he is the 20th pick, now time to move on and see what this kid can do. It's clear that MU was dejected that he couldn't bring home Ennis, you could hear it in his voice.

Watch the videos and avoid the hyperbolic quotes. Fran was probably just pissed his interns didn't give him video on this guy and made him look stupid.

Bang on Fran all you want. It is easy to do. I'm not saying Fran is some genius. I'm also not saying Ujiri is some genius. Most Raps fans wanted to crown Colangelo has dealing away Jalen Rose and bringing in Bargs, Garbaosa, etc. Look how that turned out. I think the picks was a tremendous reach. If this kid turns out to be good I will gladly eat my words. I just don't see it.

Additionally, I watched the video of Caboclo. I can't tell if he's making those plays in garbage time minutes ala Darco's highlight tapes or not. He never has the ball and creates his own shot which good/great NBA players do. Maybe if I could see more/better highlights I'd change my mind.

I've been a fan since the beginning but not drinking the kool aid just because the GM that got rid of Gay and Bargs drafted him.